Pulse current parallel charger

ABSTRACT

Faster charging of a battery, including: opening a first switch disposed between an input node of the battery and an input node of a load to decouple the input node of the battery from the input node of the load; and charging the battery using a first charging source coupled to the input node of the battery while the load is being powered through the input node of the load via a second charging source having a charge rate slower than the first charging source.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present Application for Patent claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/802,292 by MIKUTEIT et al., entitled “PULSECURRENT PARALLEL CHARGER,” filed Nov. 2, 2017, assigned to the assigneehereof, and expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates generally to battery chargers, and morespecifically, to faster charging of a battery.

Background

Faster charging has become an important feature for mobile devicesincluding mobile phones. However, the retention of cycle life for thebatteries of the mobile devices has become challenging with the fastercharging. It has been shown that pulse charging can extend the cyclelife of the batteries, while charging faster.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one example of an existing battery chargingsystem 100. The existing battery charging system 100 uses a single buckcharger 120 or dual parallel buck chargers 110, 120 to charge thebattery 130. The existing battery charging system 100 may also include abattery switch 140 configured to decouple the battery 130 from the loadwhen the load is being powered by the buck charger(s) 110, 120 throughan input node 160 of the load. A capacitor 150 represents the bulkcapacitance of the load.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes method, system, and apparatus forfaster charging of a battery.

In one implementation, a system for faster charging of a battery isdisclosed. The system includes: a first charging source coupled to aninput node of the battery, the first charging source configured tocharge the battery through the input node of the battery; a secondcharging source coupled to an input node of a load, the second chargingsource configured to power the load when the battery is being charged bythe first charging source; and a switch having a first node coupled tothe input node of the battery and a second node on an opposite side ofthe switch, the second node coupled to the input node of the load.

In another implementation, a method for faster charging of a battery isdisclosed. The method includes: opening a first switch disposed betweenan input node of the battery and an input node of a load to decouple theinput node of the battery from the input node of the load; and chargingthe battery using a first charging source coupled to the input node ofthe battery while the load is being powered through the input node ofthe load via a second charging source having a charge rate slower thanthe first charging source.

In another implementation, an apparatus for faster charging of a batteryis disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first switching means forisolating the battery from the load when the battery is being fastcharged, the switching means disposed between an input node of thebattery and an input node of the load; and a first charging means forthe faster charging of the battery through the input node of thebattery, while the load is being powered through the input node of theload.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure should beapparent from the present description which illustrates, by way ofexample, aspects of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present disclosure, both as to its structure andoperation, may be gleaned in part by study of the appended furtherdrawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one example of an existing battery chargingsystem;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a battery charging system in accordancewith one implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a battery charging system in accordancewith one particular implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process for faster charging of a batteryin accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of an apparatus for faster charging of abattery in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of an apparatus 440 for faster charging of abattery in accordance with another implementation of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As indicated above, the fast pulse charging can extend the cycle life ofa battery. However, when the fast pulse charging is used in an existingbattery charging system such as the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 , theexisting battery charging system 100 may place a disruptive noise on theinput node 160 of the load.

Thus, to address the disruptive noise issue, in one implementation ofthe present disclosure, the battery terminals are decoupled from theinput node of the load during the faster pulse charging. Accordingly,when the battery terminals are decoupled from the input node of theload, the battery can be charged with a fast pulse charging source,while the load can be powered from a buck charger(s). After reading thisdescription it will become apparent how to implement the disclosure invarious implementations and applications. Although variousimplementations of the present disclosure will be described herein, itis understood that these implementations are presented by way of exampleonly, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of variousimplementations should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a battery charging system 200 inaccordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. In theillustrated implementation of FIG. 2A, the battery charging system 200uses a first charging source 210 to charge the battery 220, and a secondcharging source 212 to power the load 230. The battery 220 is chargedthrough a battery input node 222 and the load is powered through a loadinput node 232. In one implementation, the first charging source 210 isconfigured with at least one pulse current charger to allow fastercharging of the battery 220. The term “faster charging” refers tocharging that is faster than the time (i.e., charging rate) it takes tocharge a battery using a standard charger. Thus, in one implementation,the charging rate of the first charging source 210 is faster thestandard battery chargers. In another implementation, the charging rateof the first charging source 210 is faster than the charging rate of thesecond charging source 212. Terms “pulse current” and “parallel charger”refer to the fact that the first charging source is a pulse currentcharger which is in parallel to the second charging source, which isused to power the load during the faster charging of the battery. Inother implementations, charger(s) other than pulse charger(s) can beused for faster charging of the battery 220. For example, buckcharger(s) or buck/boost charger(s) can be used for faster charging ofthe battery 220. In another implementation, the second charging source212 is configured with at least one buck charger to power the load 230,while the battery is being charged by the pulse charger. In otherimplementations, the second charging source 212 is configured withcharger(s) other than buck charger(s) for powering the load 230. Forexample, pulse charger(s) or buck/boost charger(s) can be used forpowering the load 230. In another implementation, the first chargingsource 210 is used to charge the battery 220, while the load 230 is notpowered during the charging of the battery 220. The load 230 is laterpowered by the battery 220 or charger(s) when the charging of thebattery is done. In this implementation, the second charging source 212may not be needed.

In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 2A, the battery chargingsystem 200 also includes a switch 214 (having a first node 216 and asecond node 218 on the opposite sides of the switch) disposed betweenthe battery input node 222 and the load input node 232. When the battery220 is being fast charged (i.e., faster charging) by the first chargingsource 210, the switch 214 is opened to decouple or isolate the battery220 from the load 230. Thus, during charging of the battery, the firstcurrent from the first charge source 210 to charge the battery 220enters the battery 220 at a point between the battery input node 222 andthe first node 216 of the switch 214. Further, the second current fromthe second charge source 212 to power the load 230 enters the load 230at a point between the load input node 232 and the second node 218 ofthe switch 214. Therefore, the switch 214 is configured to decouple orisolate the battery 220 from the load 230, when the battery 220 is beingfast charged by the first charging source 210 through the input node 222of the battery 220. Accordingly, this decoupling or isolation preventsthe disruptive noise of the faster charging from entering the load 230through the load input node 232.

In contrast to the implementation of FIG. 1 , the battery chargingsystem 200 of FIG. 2A is configured with the first charging source 210coupled to the battery 220 on the opposite side of the load 230 withrespect to the switch 214. Thus, while the battery 220 is being fastcharged by the first charging source 210, the switch 214 is opened todecouple the battery input node 222 from the load input node 232.Therefore, as described above, the opening of the switch 214 isolatesthe disruptive noise of the faster charging away from the load inputnode 232 during the faster charging period.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a battery charging system 240 inaccordance with one particular implementation of the present disclosure.In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 2B, the battery chargingsystem 240 uses at least one pulse (one or more) charger 250, 252 tocharge the battery 260, and at least one (one or more) buck charger 254,256 to power the load 270. The at least one pulse charger 250, 252allows faster charging of the battery 260. In one implementation, thebattery 260 includes a protection circuit module (PCM) 264 configured toact as a battery management system that manages a rechargeable batterysuch as by monitoring its state, calculating relevant data needed tomonitor the state, and reporting the relevant data. The PCM 264 is alsoconfigured to protect the rechargeable battery, control its environment,and balance the battery. The PCM 264 may monitor states includingvoltage, temperature, state of charge/depth of discharge, state ofhealth, air flow, and/or current.

The battery charging system 240 also includes a battery switch 280configured to decouple the battery 260 from the load 270, when thebattery 260 is being charged by the at least one pulse charging source250, 252 through the input node 262 of the battery 260, while the load270 is being powered by the at least one buck charger 254, 256 throughthe input node 272 of the load 270. In one implementation, the switch280 is configured as a field effect transistor (FET) such as metal-oxidesemiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) or junction field effecttransistor (JFET). In another implementation, the switch 280 isconfigured as a back-to-back pair of MOSFET switches. In yet anotherimplementation, the switch 280 is configured as one of a mechanical,electrical, or pneumatic switch. A capacitor 274 represents the bulkcapacitance of the load 270.

Again, in contrast to the implementation of FIG. 1 , the batterycharging system 240 of FIG. 2B is configured with the at least one pulsecharging source 250, 252 coupled to the battery 260 on the opposite sideof the load 270 with respect to the battery switch 280. Thus, while thebattery 260 is being fast charged by the at least one pulse chargingsource 250, 252, the battery switch 280 is opened to decouple thebattery 260 from the load 270 during the faster charging period.Therefore, this isolates the noise of the fast pulse charging from theinput node 272 of the load 270 during the faster charging period.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process 300 for faster charging of abattery in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 3 , the battery and the loadare charged with the buck charger, at block 302. Then, a determinationis made, at block 310, waiting for a signal or command to begin thefaster charging of the battery. Once the command is received, at block310, a switch disposed between an input node of the battery and an inputnode of the load is opened, at block 320, to decouple or isolate theinput node of the battery from the input node of the load. The openingof the switch occurs before the initiation of the faster charging toensure that the battery is decoupled from the load during charging. Oncethe battery switch is opened, the battery is charged, at block 330,using a charging source such as at least one pulse charging source. Asdescribed above, during the charging of the battery, the load can bepowered by another charging source such as at least one buck chargingsource.

In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 3 , a determination is thenmade, at block 340, waiting for the faster charging to be finished. Oncethe faster charging is finished, at block 340, the battery switch isclosed, at block 350, to enable the battery to power the load, at block360. In another implementation, once the faster charging is finished, atblock 340, the switch can remain open, while the load is continued to bepowered by the charging source such as the buck charging source.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of an apparatus 400 for faster charging of abattery in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 4A, the battery chargingapparatus 400 includes a first charging means 410, a second chargingmeans 412, and a switching means 414. In FIG. 4A, the battery chargingapparatus 400 uses a first charging means 410 to charge the battery 420,and a second charging means 412 to power the load 430. The battery 420is charged through a battery input node 422 and the load is powerthrough a load input node 432. In illustrated implementation of FIG. 4A,the first charging means 410 is powered through power input1 402, whilethe second charging means 412 is powered through power input2 404. Inone implementation, power input1 402 and power input2 404 are connectedsuch that one power source supplies both inputs 402, 404. In anotherimplementation, power input1 402 and power input2 404 are not connectedto each other, but are coupled to separate power sources.

In one implementation, the first charging means 410 includes a quickcharger that can charge the battery 420 relatively fast without havingto sacrifice the cycle life of the battery. In another implementation,the first charging means 410 includes a portable pack that can becarried around by a user and charge the battery multiple times. In theimplementation of the first charging means 410 configured as theportable pack, power input1 402 is coupled to the first charging means410, while power input2 404 is coupled to the second charging means 412.

In one implementation, the first charging means 410 includes a pulsecharger, while the second charging means 412 includes a buck converterthat can power the load 430 while the battery 420 is being fast chargedby the first charging means 410. In another implementation, the secondcharging means 412 includes a buck-boost converter. In yet anotherimplementation, the second charging means 412 includes a portable packthat can be carried around by a user and power the load while thebattery 420 is being fast charged by the first charging means 410.

In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 4A, the battery chargingsystem 400 also includes a switching means 414 disposed between thebattery input node 422 and the load input node 432. When the battery 220is being fast charged by the first charging means 410, the switchingmeans 414 is configured to decouple or isolate the battery 420 from theload 430. Thus, during charging of the battery, the first current fromthe first charge means 410 to charge the battery 420 enters the battery420 at a point between the battery input node 422 and the switchingmeans 414. Further, the second current from the second charge means 412to power the load 430 enters the load 430 at a point between the loadinput node 432 and the switching means 414. Therefore, the decoupling orisolation prevents the disruptive noise of the faster charging fromentering the load 430 through the load input node 432. In oneimplementation, the switching means 414 is configured as a mechanical,electrical, or pneumatic switch. In another implementation, theswitching means 414 is configured as an electronic switch such as a FETswitch. In yet another implementation, the switching means 414 isconfigured as a MOSFET switch. In yet another implementation, theswitching means 414 is configured as a JEFT switch. In yet anotherimplementation, the switching means 414 is configured as back-to-backMOSFET switches, which prevent body diode conduction in eitherdirection.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of an apparatus 440 for faster charging of abattery in accordance with another implementation of the presentdisclosure. In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 4B, the batterycharging apparatus 440 includes a charging means 444, a first switchingmeans 442, and a second switching means 446. The charging means 444includes one input 452 from a power source 450 and two outputs 454, 456.Thus, in FIG. 4B, the charging means 444 uses the first output 454 tocharge the battery 420 and uses the second output 456 to power the load430. The first switching means 442 is used to connect the first output454 to the battery input node 422 when the battery 420 is to be chargedby the charging means 444, and to disconnect the first output 454 fromthe battery input node 422 when the battery 420 does not need charging.Therefore, when the battery 420 is to be charged, the first switchingmeans 442 is closed to connect the charging means 444 to the batteryinput node 422. Further, similar to the implementation of FIG. 4A, thesecond switching means 446 is used to isolate the load input node 432from the battery input node 422 by opening the second switching means446 and keeping it opened during the faster charging of the battery 420using the charging means 444. Thus, in one implementation, the chargingmeans 444 is a pulse charger.

In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 4B, the second output 456 ofthe charging means 444 is directly connected to the load input node 432so that when the battery 420 is being charged, the second switchingmeans 446 is opened and the charging means 444 powers the load 430through the load input node 432. In contrast, when the battery 420 hasfinished charging and the load 430 is to be powered by the battery 420,the second switching means 446 is closed and the input 452 of thecharging means 444 is disconnected from the power source 450.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrativeblocks and units described in connection with the implementationsdisclosed herein can be implemented in various forms. Some blocks andmodules have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. How such functionality is implemented depends upon thedesign constraints imposed on an overall system. Skilled persons canimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, or step isfor ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved fromone module or block without departing from the disclosure.

The above description of the disclosed implementations is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described hereincan be applied to other implementations without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is to be understood that thedescription and drawings presented herein represent presently preferredimplementations of the disclosure and are therefore representative ofthe subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the presentdisclosure. It is further understood that the scope of the presentdisclosure fully encompasses other implementations that may becomeobvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the presentdisclosure is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for faster charging of a battery, thesystem comprising: a first charging source coupled to an input node ofthe battery, the first charging source configured to charge the batterythrough the input node of the battery; a second charging source,parallel with the first charging source, coupled to an input node of aload, the second charging source configured to power the load when thebattery is being charged by the first charging source; and a switchhaving a first node coupled to the input node of the battery and asecond node on an opposite side of the switch, the second node coupledto the input node of the load.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst charging source comprises one of a pulse current charger, a buckcharger, or a buck/boost charger.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein whenthe battery is charged by the first charging source, the switch isconfigured to decouple or isolate the battery from the load.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a protection circuit module (PCM)configurable to monitor a state of the battery and determine datarelevant for managing the battery.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein thePCM is configured to monitor the battery by measuring one or more ofvoltage, temperature, state of charge, depth of discharge, health, airflow, and current.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein while the firstcharging source is used to charge the battery, the load is not powered.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first charging source and thesecond charging source are powered from a first power source.